real world snus club idea

[ChaoticGemini]

I'm just getting around to reading this month's Sauce Magazine (local food rag) and was inspired by an article about spring trends. There is mention of a cigar and spirit shop that opened a members only cigar bar on the second floor. They have two levels of monthly membership. Both come with tobacco credit, but the higher priced membership also includes invites to monthly spirit and cigar tasting. The idea got me thinking of all the smoking bans and the complaints of bar owners at the lower sales. I would love to see a snus club like this. Depending how the laws are written, it may even be a way to get the nicotine addicts back on the barstools. I'd even take a detour on vacation and pay for a month of membership just for the experience. What do you guys think? Would you visit or be a regular? I'd like to bring the idea up to a couple of business owners I know.

[chadizzy1]

Cigarettes and cigars seem very social while snus is quite discreet. Dunno how this would work.

[c.nash]

Cigarettes and cigars seem very social while snus is quite discreet. Dunno how this would work.

Exactly what I was thinking.
It just doesn't seem like the environment of snus users, maybe it would be a good trading and talking post type thing, but it doesn't seem to be something that would catch on. Especially here in the States.

[chadizzy1]

What I think would be a really good idea would be a "new snus club". Pay a yearly rate or monthly, and every time a new snus comes out you get it shipped to you to try.

Or even a member could do this. Buy a roll, 10 people pay a portion of the price and everyone is shipped can via USPS after the roll comes to the leader via UPS. Of course this would work better with a few new snuses instead of a small order.

[Speedoape]

Snus of the month club. Norterner or someone could do it like the cigar of the month clubs that are offered.

[ChaoticGemini]

Hmm, maybe it's the military setting, or maybe it is many still holding on to old smoking social habits, but at my husband's shop, they still take snus breaks and discuss snus.

[lxskllr]

That's my idea! Well, sort of. What I envisioned was a snuff bar, with all the snuffs I could get available as "drinks"(samples), with bulk purchases for take out also. I'd have snus too of course, and spirits/beer, but I think it's a great idea.

[nicodude]

Yeah, I am for the snuff bar. Of course they would have snus to, but with snuff you can sample a little of everything, with snus you put a portion/pris in and you have it for the next hour and you don't want to take it out and waste it just to try something else. Or perhaps just a tobacco bar, where they have everything, snuff/snus/cigars/pipe tobacco/hookah and maybe even dip and chew, just no cigarettes.

[Mykislt]

yeah, I agree with lx, snuff sounds better

[GoVegan]

Hey, we can call it the VIP Club and offer discounts to members.

[Darwin]

It'd take some deep pockets and a whole lot of patience for a snus/snuff bar to make it business-wise. I certainly do think that offering a decent selection in an already existing bar would be a less problematic way to go. Even then it would take some knowledgeable folks and some serious salesmanship to move the product to smokers of whom probably less than 5 percent even know what just what the heck snus is. If it could work I'd think it would only be in major urban areas--as in L.A., Dallas, Houston, Chicago, New York major. Try it in such as Des Moines, Topeka, Albuquerque, or Little Rock and you're likely talking floperoo.

[Ephemeris]

I'm all for it. If you think about it, 20 years ago there was no such thing as a cigar bar. Hell, 20 years ago the only people that smoked cigars were fat old taxi drivers. But someone got the idea to build one, and then another, and then another. Then came Cigar Aficionado and within a few years, everyone fancied themselves a cigar connoisseur. Now there's at least one cigar bar in every decent sized American town.

All it takes is a spark. Whoever builds a place like that would have to have enough cash to stay the course until the fad catches on. And I firmly believe that the fad is beginning to catch on. Of course, this is an endeavor close to my own heart. I was told for a year straight that there was absolutely no market for a magazine devoted entirely to snuff and snus, and I'd like to think that we've proven the naysayers wrong so far.

I somewhat agree with Chad that smokeless tobacco doesn't quite lend itself to the same social atmosphere that smoking tobacco does. But I've been to more than one mini-snuff herf in my lifetime, and it's every bit as enjoyable (if not more) than a cigar herf. Everyone compares their blends, discusses their favorite brands, and just generally bonds over something so simple. The best part is that you don't go home reeking of smoke and trying to explain the various burn holes in your clothing from drunk smokers bumping into you with their cigars. I also feel that we're a more sophisticated lot. Any chump can walk in off the street, stick a cigar in his mouth and puff away like a moron. Give that kid a can of lös or a tin of Wilsons and watch him try to figure out what to do with it.

So yeah, I'm all for it. I've even tried to organize annual snus & snuff conventions but things keep falling through at the last minute. If someone has the guts to try it out, I'll support them any way I can.

One more thing: Fumee Cigars in Austin is primarily a cigar bar, but they stock a full line of General snus and have started to advertise themselves as a Snus and Cigar bar. (They also carry our magazine). If you're ever down in Texas make sure you stop by and hang out for a few minutes. I'd really like to see their snus business become as big as their cigar sales.

[Kstolen23]

I dig the idea. But I'm like one of two Australians that use snus and I think that guy is on the other side of the country. . . I still like the idea though and if ever there was a snus/snuff/cigar club around Perth I'd def join.

[precious007]

I'm all for it. If you think about it, 20 years ago there was no such thing as a cigar bar. Hell, 20 years ago the only people that smoked cigars were fat old taxi drivers.

lol, fat old taxi drivers would smoke crappy cigars.

Cigars are at some point luxury items (for the rich).... and a lot of wealthy people puff cigars but you can't see them because they're either on cruise ships or luxury islands lol

anyways a cigar club would work but snus........ not sure how it would stick to the large public. (i'm even afraid of the idea of trying to push snus socially in Europe....... I think everyone would fin it disgusting .... I even got my ass kicked of quit smoking forum because I recommended snus as an aid and all that crap loool

[ChaoticGemini]

I hadn't thought of the entire range of snuffs. Genius idea. Hell, I'd actually give some a try in that situation.

You guys are helping me form my pitch. We're going to the theatre this weekend, and I'll bring it up to him then. Obviously, this would not be something to happen overnight. For those familiar with the area, I plan to suggest it for his place in Franklin county, not either of the STL county locations.